Austrian ski guide
In depth look at the best skiing in Austria
Après ski is the second-favourite pastime in Austria. As soon as the lifts close, the DJs start their Euro-pop playlists and the ski boots leave the bindings and do their stuff on the tables and terraces of the area. There is no country on earth that can celebrate apres ski like the Austrians. Resorts from east to west in the Austrian Alps are alive from mid-afternoon and the country has some of the biggest names in apres ski bars.
Austrian apres ski
High-altitude skiing. It is something of a myth that Austrian skiing takes place above charming, low-lying resorts. Austria does have the most charming villages in the world, but it also has high-altitude ski-in, ski -out resorts.
Austria has the second highest resort in the Alps and the biggest and best glacier skiing in the Alps. Skiing takes place 365 days a year on the Hintertux Glacier and from September through to June on multiple glaciers.
The most snow. Austria gets more snow than anywhere else in the Alps. Austrian skiing is high and very snowy. The Bregenzerwald ski region in the far northeast of Austria is statistically the snowiest region of the Alps.
The neighbouring Arlberg ski region gets astonishing amounts of snow each winter.
The best Austrian ski resorts
St Anton
The toughest skiing in the snowiest part of the Austrian Alps, St Anton also offers brilliant apres ski and loads to do in the ski resort.
Kitzbühel
Picture-perfect Kitzbühel hosts the most famous ski race in the world, is fantastic for non-skiers and has a great range of upmarket hotels.
Mayrhofen
Part of the Zillertal 3000 ski region, Mayrhofen has year-round skiing on the Hintertux Glacier, great apres ski and one of the steepest ski pistes in the Alps.
Lech am Arlberg
The prettiest ski resort in the world, Lech am Alrberg is the ski reosrt of choice for Europe’s elites. It has fantastic skiing, great hotels and is part of the superb Arlberg ski region.
Sölden
Two glaciers and a vertical of almost 2000m make Sölden skiing special. It has some of the best apres ski in the Alps and loads to do for the non-skier.
Obergurgl
The highest ski resorts in Austria, Obergurgl and Hochgurgl offer winter wonderland experiences and skiing on uncrowded slopes close to the Italian border.
Mayrhofen
The best ski resort in the Zillertal Valley, Mayrhofen has diverese skiing and pumping apres ski.
Saalbach
The biggest ski area south of Salzburg has extensive and diverse terrain and superb apres ski.
Ischgl
The world’s best apres ski and a ski area to match, Ischgl is spectacularly good.
Innsbruck
The ‘Capital of the Alps’, Innsbruck offers a great range of ski resorts on all sides of the city.
Summer in Austria
The premier ski destination in the world, Austria is also magnificent in the summer.
Most of the snow melts in many resorts, powering the rivers and lakes and offering stunning green pastures and rocky mountains. The glaciers retain the snow and ice and are available for site-seeing, skiing and mountaineering.
The alpine villages are spectacular and inviting, offering a wide range of sports and activities. Alpine spas are fantastic, as are restaurant and mountain hut terraces.
